Muay thai-Thai Boxing
Posted by bird in Uncategorized
Muaythai-Thai Boxing
The sport of Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, is immensely popular in the Kingdom. Fights are broadcast on TV almost nightly, every sizable city has a boxing ring, and the top fighters are all household names. Boys start training as young as 7 to become professional boxers. The biggest and most prestigeous stadiums in the country are Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen in Bangkok, which hold fights on alternating nights so that there is a program every night.
 
In Muay Thai, there are five three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks in between, and every fight is preceeded by a symbolic dance by both fighters to pay homage to their teachers. Fights are accompanied by live music played by a ringside band with traditional instruments.
I attended a program at Lumpini in January 2005 that included 8 fights (although we missed the first 2). Ticket prices had just been raised (at least for tourists), so ringside seats were 1500 Baht and second level were 800 Baht. We opted for second level, which turned out to be right behind the ringside section, still very close to the action. The fights were fast and furious, with 3 ending in a knockout. Although it was quite expensive, it was definitely worth the experience.
List of Bangkok Muaythai Stadiums
Lumpini Stadium
Rama IV Road, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 252-8765, 251-4303, 253-7702, 253-7940
Fight Nights: Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m, Saturday afternoons 5-8 p.m., Saturday nights from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside)
Ratchadamnoen Stadium
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Tel: (662) 281-4205, 280-1684-6
Fight Nights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, starting at 6.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside); special discount on Sunday nights
Channel 7 Stadium
Behind the old Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit), opp. Chatuchak Park, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 272-0201
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 1.45 p.m., third Wednesday of each month starting at 12.00 noon.
Ticket prices: Free admission
